Photocatalytic Degradation Study of Titania Sol-Gel Coated on Commercial Unglazed Ceramic Tiles

Abstract:

In this research photocatalytic degradation of nanotitania synthesized via sol-gel method and coated on commercial unglazed ceramic tiles was investigated. The starting precursors were titanium (IV) tetraisopropoxide (Ti [OCH(CH₃)₂]₄; TIP), ethanol, hydrochloric acid and distilled water. Unglazed ceramic tiles were sintered at 900°C and 1100°C. The nanotitania based sols were applied on the tile surface using air-brush and calcined at 500°C for 3 h. The particle size of the synthesized TiO₂ varied in the range 8-20 nm. The photocatalysis of nanotitania was studied through the photodegradation of methylene blue solution under UVC irradiation using UV-Vis Spectrophotometer. The presence of nanotitania on unglazed ceramic tiles was confirmed by a scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). Ceramic tiles sintered at 900°C gave higher % open porosity and hence higher amount of nanotitania embedded on the ceramic surface. The results showed that all unglazed ceramic tiles coated with nanotitania were able to show photodegradation of methylene blue.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 751)
• Pages: 819-824
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.751.819
• Online since: August 2017
• Authors: Pat Sooksaen*, Nawapan Saowaros, Khemphatsorn Ngamkaruhasereethorn, Angkoona Pringkasemchai
• Keywords: Ceramic, Nanoparticles, Photodegradation, Sol-Gel, Titania

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